Apparatus and method for unwinding a needle portion

ABSTRACT

A container system is provided for removing a needle portion from a needle holder of a needle system. The system includes a receptacle defining an opening, a lid configured to cover the receptacle opening, wherein the lid defines an aperture having a shape configured to receive a needle system having a first configuration. The system also includes an adapter configured for engagement in the lid aperture, wherein the adapter defines an aperture having a shape configured to receive a needle system having a second configuration, and wherein the engagement of the adapter in the lid aperture resists rotation of the adapter with respect to the lid.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for unwinding aneedle portion. More specifically, the invention relates to an adapterconfigured to unwind a needle portion from a needle holder so that theneedle can be deposited in a disposal container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Due to concerns regarding contamination and injury, it is desirable tohave a safe and simple method of disposing used medical needles (e.g.syringes, sharps). Emphasis has been placed on designing containers(e.g. phlebotomy disposal containers) that isolate the previouslydisposed needles from the medical professional that uses the container.Further, efforts have been made to provide a disposal container which amedical professional can operate easily and conveniently.

A typical needle disposal system is illustrated in FIG. 1 and isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,164 issued to Richardson et al., whichis incorporated herein by reference for its teachings related to needledisposal systems. The disposal container 2 shown in FIG. 1 includes acontainer body 4 and a lid 6. The lid 6 includes a skirt 8 which may beused to engage a top flange of container body 4 (not shown).

It is desirable to insert a used needle through an opening in the lid sothat the used needle may be dropped into the container body 4 throughthe opening. Accordingly, lid 6 includes a first aperture 10 and asecond aperture 12. Aperture 10 may be covered by a pivotal closure 14,and aperture 12 may be covered by a pivotal closure 16. Pivotal closures14 and 16 may be joined by a bridge 18 so that they may be operated intandem. Aperture 10 is sized larger than aperture 12. With pivotalclosure 14 open, medical waste that fits through aperture 10 is simplydeposited through aperture 10 and drops into container body 4.

Aperture 12 is specifically sized to receive a needle system 19, whichis also illustrated in FIG. 1 and described by Richardson et al. in U.S.Pat. No. 5,322,164. Needle system 19 includes a needle holder 22 and aneedle 26. Needle holder 22 includes a lower opening (not shown) thatreceives and retains needle 26. In order to retain the needle 26 usingthe lower opening, needle holder 22 includes two spring loaded sidelocks 24. When side locks 24 are depressed inwardly, the lower openingexpands. When side locks 24 are not depressed inwardly, as shown in FIG.1, the lower opening is in a retracted position. When the lower opening(not shown) is in the expanded position, needle 26 separates from needleholder 22. When the lower opening is in the retracted position, needle26 is retained by needle holder 22. Aperture 12 includes tapered sides(not shown) which receive a lower portion of the outer wall 23 of needleholder 22. As needle 26 is guided into aperture 12, the tapered sides(not shown) contact and depress side locks 24, so that the lower openingexpands and needle 26 is separated from needle holder 22. Needle 26drops into container body 4, and needle holder 22 is retained ordiscarded in an appropriate manner.

Lid 6 also defines needle detaching device 20 adjacent to aperture 12.Needle detaching device 20 may be used to unscrew needles which arethreaded to a needle holder.

While the disposal system illustrated in FIG. 1 provides an effectivedisposal system for certain medical waste, it does not efficientlyaccommodate every type of needle system in use. Particularly, manyunwinding type needle systems can not be unwound and discarded by usingthe system illustrated in FIG. 1. An unwinding type needle systemtypically includes a needle and a needle holder, often threadedtogether. In order to dispose of a needle of an unwinding type needlesystem, the needle is preferably unwound from the needle holder so thatthe needle may drop into an accompanying disposal container.

Aperture 12 is not configured to unwind a needle from everyconfiguration of needle holder. For example, while needle detachingdevice 20 may be used to unwind some types of needles from some types ofneedle holders, it can not accommodate every type of needle system whichrequires unwinding for disposal.

As such, medical professionals are often forced to choose one needlesystem and a corresponding disposal system over another type of system,or alternatively medical professionals stock numerous types of needlesystems and disposal systems (resulting in higher costs). Accordingly,there remains a need for a disposal system that can accommodate morethan one type of needle holder system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of this invention, an apparatus is provided foradapting a disposal container with an opening having a firstconfiguration for use with a needle system having a secondconfiguration. Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the inventionprovides an adapter to be inserted into an aperture of a disposalcontainer lid, so that the container may be used to unwind needles fromneedle systems with varying configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art needle disposal system.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of a lid adapted for use with adisposal container in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial top view of the lid shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of an embodiment of an apertureincluded in the lid shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is another cross sectional side view of the aperture shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of and embodiment of an adapter inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the adapter shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the adapter shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the adapter shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional side view of the adapter shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is another cross sectional side view of the adapter shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lid for a disposalcontainer including an adapter in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a needle holder that can be used inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention will now be described with reference to severalembodiments selected for illustration in the drawings. It will beappreciated that the scope and spirit of the invention are not limitedto the illustrated embodiments. It will further be appreciated that thedrawings are not rendered to any particular proportion or scale. Also,any dimensions referred to in the description of the illustratedembodiments are provided merely for the purpose for illustration. Theinvention is not limited to any particular dimensions, materials, orother details of the illustrated embodiments.

Referring generally to FIGS. 2-13, a container system is provided forremoving a needle portion from a needle holder 64 of a needle system.The container system includes a receptacle (similar to container body 4illustrated in FIG. 1) defining an opening and a lid 30 configured tocover the opening of the receptacle. The lid 30 defines an aperture 38having a shape configured to receive a needle system having a firstconfiguration. The container system also includes an adapter 50 that isconfigured for engagement in lid aperture 38. The adapter 50 defines anaperture 52 having a shape configured to receive a needle system havinga second configuration. The adapter 50 is engaged within the lidaperture 38 such that rotation of the adapter 50 with respect to saidlid 38 is resisted.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 provides anillustration of a top view of a lid 30 which can be used as analternative to the prior art lid 6 shown in FIG. 1. Lid 30 shown in FIG.2 includes an aperture 36 and a funnel-shaped aperture 38. Aperture 36can be covered by a pivotal closure 32, and a funnel-shaped aperture 38can be covered by a pivotal closure 34. A Bridge 42 may be provided,connecting pivotal closures 32 and 34, such that pivotal closures 32 and34 may be operated in tandem. Lid 30 also includes needle detachingdevice 40, which can be used to unwind various types of needle systems.

Medical waste, such as used needles, can be discarded by opening pivotalclosure 32 and depositing the waste into the disposal container 2through aperture 36. The discarded waste will drop into a container bodyattached to lid 30, similar to container body 4, shown in FIG. 1.

Needle detaching device 40 can be used to unwind various needle systemsthat utilize unwinding for their disposal. For example, various needlesystems may include a needle holder and a needle portion. Often, theneedle portion includes a needle and a protective sheath made of plasticor the like; however, the needle portion may include a needle alone. Theneedle holder and the needle portion may be connected by threading athreaded portion of one of the elements into a receiving threadedportion of the other element. For example, the needle portion mayinclude a threaded male end, and the needle holder may include athreaded female end. As such, to connect the needle holder and theneedle portion, the needle portion is threaded to the needle holder.After using the needle system to draw blood or the like, the needleportion is preferably unwound from the needle holder in order to disposeof the needle portion. This can be accomplished by inserting the needleportion of the needle system into the needle detaching device 40 androtating the needle holder until the needle portion separates from theneedle holder and drops into the container body.

FIG. 3 provides a partial top view of lid 30 and illustrates needledetaching device 40 and funnel shaped aperture 38 in greater detail. Inthe exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, funnel-shaped aperture 38includes a pair of depressions 44. The functionality of depressions 44will be explained below. Although FIG. 3 shows two depressions 44, thisis simply an example of a number of depressions that could be includedin the funnel-shaped aperture 38. It is understood that a singledepression, or three or more depressions, could alternatively beincluded in funnel-shaped aperture 38.

FIG. 4 provides a cross sectional side view of funnel-shaped aperture38. Pivotal closure 34 is shown covering funnel-shaped aperture 38.Funnel-shaped aperture 38 includes a tapered inside wall 46 whichextends to bottom edge 48. The pair of depressions 44, which arerecesses formed in inside wall 46, are also shown in FIG. 4. Althoughthe aperture 38 is described as being substantially funnel-shaped, theaperture 38 could have a different shape such as a cylindrical shape ora square shape or a wide variety of alternative shapes.

FIG. 5 provides an additional cross sectional side view of funnel-shapedaperture 38 that is perpendicular to the view shown in FIG. 4. Again,pivotal closure 34 is shown covering funnel-shaped aperture 38. Also,inside wall 46 is shown extending to bottom edge 48. A front view ofdepression 44, as opposed to the side view provided in FIG. 4, is alsoincluded in FIG. 5.

As explained above, needle detaching device 40 nor aperture 38, shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, can accommodate every type of needle system that uses anunwinding disposal system. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention provides an adapter 50 that can beinserted into funnel-shaped aperture 38 of lid 30. As explained above,aperture 38 is not necessarily funnel-shaped, but should simply be ableto accommodate an adapter 50. By using the adapter, alternative needlesystems can be unwound, as will be explained below. Therefore, a singledisposal container with lid 30 can be used to discard needle systemshaving either a configuration that can be accommodated by the apertureformed in the lid (e.g., aperture 38) or (2) a configuration that can beaccommodated by the aperture formed in the adapter (e.g., aperture 52).

As shown in the perspective view of an exemplary adapter 50 provided inFIG. 6, adapter 50 includes an upper edge 58 and a lower edge 59. Upperedge 58 extends through a beveled edge 56, and into side walls 54. Sidewalls 54 extend to the lower edge 59. Side walls 54 define arectangular-shaped aperture 52, which can be used to unwind needlesystems which are accommodated by a rectangular aperture. Although theshape of adapter 50 is defined in FIG. 6 by upper edge 58, beveled edge56, side walls 54, and lower edge 59, this is only an example of anadapter shape. Adapter 50 could take on any number of shapes so long asthe adapter 50 can be accommodated within a lid aperture such as, forexample, aperture 38. For example, adapter 50 could have a funnel-shapedexterior surface that would match the tapered shape of funnel-shapedaperture 38.

Lower edge 59 includes a pair of detents 60 (only a single detent 60 isvisible from the perspective view in FIG. 6). Although lower edge 59includes two detents 60, this is simply an exemplary embodiment, and asingle detent 60, or three or more detents 60, could alternatively beincluded. When adapter 50 is inserted into funnel-shaped aperture 38,each detent 60 is received by a depression 44 included in funnel-shapedaperture 38. The engagement of detents 60 and depressions 44 results ina resistance to rotation of the adapter 50 within funnel-shaped aperture38. Funnel-shaped aperture 38, illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, includestwo depressions 44. Adapter 50, illustrated in FIG. 6, includes twodetents 60. Therefore, when adapter 50 is inserted into funnel-shapedaperture 38, each detent 60 is received by a single depression 44. In analternative embodiment, there could be more depressions 44 infunnel-shaped aperture 38 than detents 60 on adapter 50. In other words,the number of depressions 44 in the funnel-shaped opening 38 shouldpreferably be the same or greater than the number of detents 60 on theadapter 50.

As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment included in FIG. 6, adapter50 includes two flanges 62 (alternatively known as “feet”) which extendbelow lower edge 59 (only a single flange 62 is visible from theperspective view in FIG. 6). When adapter 50 is inserted intofunnel-shaped aperture 38 of lid 30, each flange 62 clasps around bottomedge 48 of funnel-shaped aperture 38. This engagement between flanges 62and bottom edge 48 releasably or permanently secures adapter 50 withinfunnel-shaped aperture 38 and provides resistance against the removal ofadapter 50 from funnel-shaped aperture 38.

FIG. 7 provides a top view of an exemplary adapter 50. As stated above,adapter 50 includes upper edge 58 which extends downward through bevelededge 56, and into side walls 54. Side walls 54 define rectangular-shapedaperture 52. Rectangular-shaped aperture 52 may be used to unwind needlesystems which are accommodated by a rectangular aperture. Adapter 50could, however, include an aperture with a shape other than arectangular shape. For example, it may be desirable to provide atriangular-shaped or diamond-shaped aperture in the adapter 50 toaccommodate differently configured needle systems, and other shapes arecontemplated as well, depending upon the needle holder's configurationand design preferences.

FIG. 8 provides a bottom view of an exemplary adapter 50. Adapter 50includes upper edge 58 which extends through beveled edge 56 into sidewalls 54. Side walls 54 define rectangular-shaped aperture 52. Sidewalls 54 extend downwardly to lower edge 59. In the exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 8, adapter 50 includes two detents 60 that extend radiallyoutwardly from lower edge 59, and two flanges 62 that extend downwardlyfrom lower edge 59 and radially outwardly. When adapter 50 is insertedinto funnel-shaped aperture 38 of lid 30, detents 60 of the adapter 50are received by depressions 44 of funnel-shaped aperture 38, therebyresisting rotation of adapter 50 within funnel-shaped aperture 38.Further, upon the engagement of adapter 50 with funnel-shaped aperture38, flanges 62 snap below and clasp around bottom edge 48 of thefunnel-shaped aperture 38, thereby resisting axial removal of adapter 50from funnel-shaped aperture 38.

FIG. 9 provides a side view of an exemplary adapter 50. Adapter 50includes upper edge 58 which extends through beveled edge 56 into sidewalls 54. Side walls 54 extend downward into lower edge 59. Detents 60extend outwardly from lower edge 59. An external view of flange 62 (onlyone of the two flanges 62 is visible in FIG. 9), which extends downwardfrom lower edge 59, is also provided.

FIG. 10 provides a cross sectional view of an exemplary adapter 50. Thiscross sectional view illustrates the extension of upper edge 58 throughbeveled edge 56 and into side walls 54, and further illustrates theextension of side walls 54 to lower edge 59. Side walls 54 definerectangular-shaped aperture 52. Detents 60 extend out from lower edge59. Also provided is an internal view of flange 62.

FIG. 11 provides another cross sectional view of an exemplary adapter50. This view is perpendicular to the cross sectional view provided inFIG. 10. Again, upper edge 58 extends through beveled edge 56 into sidewalls 54. Side walls 54, which define rectangular-shaped aperture 52,extend downward to lower edge 59, and then further extend downward intoflanges 62.

FIG. 12 provides a perspective view of an exemplary lid 30, with anadapter 50 engaged in the funnel-shaped aperture 38 of the lid 30. Lid30 includes aperture 36, in addition to funnel-shaped aperture 38.Funnel-shaped aperture 38 receives adapter 50. Specifically, depressions44 (not shown in FIG. 12) of funnel-shaped aperture 38 receive detents60 (not shown in FIG. 12) of the adapter 50, and thereby provideresistance to rotation of adapter 50 within funnel-shaped aperture 38.Further, flanges 62 (not shown in FIG. 12) snap and clasp around bottomedge 48 (not shown in FIG. 12) of funnel-shaped aperture 38, therebyproviding resistance to the removal of adapter 50 from funnel-shapedaperture 38. With adapter 50 engaged within funnel-shaped aperture 38,rectangular-shaped aperture 52 may be used to unwind needle systems thatwould be accommodated by the rectangular shape of aperture 52.

FIG. 13 provides a perspective view of an exemplary needle holder 64.Needle holder 64 and a needle portion (not shown) are included in aneedle system which requires unwinding for disposal. The needle portionmay include a needle and a protective sheath, or simply may include aneedle alone, with no protective sheath. Needle holder 64 includes athreaded receiver 66. A needle portion (not shown) is threaded intothreaded receiver 66. Although the needle portion and needle holder areengaged to one another by threading the needle portion into the threadedreceiver 66, this is only an example of how the needle portion and theneedle holder may be coupled. The needle system, including the needleholder 64 and the needle portion, are used for their intended medicalpurpose. It is then desirable to dispose of the used needle system.

The use and operation of a disposal container according to thisinvention will now be described. Generally, this invention makes itpossible to unwind a needle portion from a needle holder of a needlesystem having a second configuration using a container system includinga receptacle and a lid such as lid 30, wherein the lid has an aperturesuch as aperture 38 configured to receive a needle system having a firstconfiguration. An adapter such as adapter 50 configured to receive theneedle system having the second configuration is engaged in the lidaperture, thereby modifying the lid from being configured to receive theneedle system having the first configuration to being configured toreceive the needle system having the second configuration. At least aportion of the needle system having the second configuration is insertedinto the adapter aperture such as the aperture 52 of the adapter 50,thereby engaging the needle portion to resist rotation of the needleportion with respect to the adapter. The needle holder is then rotatedwith respect to the adapter, thereby unwinding the needle portion fromthe needle system such that the needle portion is released into thereceptacle.

More specifically, with reference to the embodiment selected forillustration in the Figures, in order to dispose of the needle system, adisposal container with a lid 30 is preferably utilized. In a preferredembodiment, lid 30 preferably includes funnel-shaped aperture 38, andadapter 50 is engaged within funnel-shaped aperture 38. In an exemplaryembodiment, adapter 50 provides rectangular-shaped aperture 52. Theneedle portion of the needle system is inserted into rectangular-shapedaperture 52. The needle holder 64 is then rotated such that the needleportion unthreads from threaded receiver 66 of needle holder 64, andseparates from the needle holder 64. The needle portion drops into thedisposal container. The medical professional may then dispose of theneedle holder in any approved manner, or may retain the needle holder 64as desired.

Variations and modifications of the exemplary embodiments illustrated inthe Figures can be made without departing from the scope of thisinvention. It should be recognized that the aperture provided in the lidof the container system can be provided with any configuration and is,therefore, not to be limited to a funnel-shaped aperture. Likewise, theadapter can be provided with an aperture having any configuration and isnot to be limited to a rectangular-shaped aperture. It is preferred,however, that the configuration of the lid's aperture differs from thatof the adapter's aperture in either its size or its shape. In this way,the use of the adapter in connection with a container system changes theconfiguration of the engagement mechanism from one configuration or sizeto another configuration or size. By changing the configuration of thecontainer's engagement mechanism, for example, the adapter makes itpossible to reconfigure a container system that was manufactured for usewith one type or size of needle holder system for use with another typeof needle holder system.

For the foregoing reasons, neither the selected configuration of theaperture in the lid nor the selected configuration of the aperture inthe adapter is important to this invention. Instead, thoseconfigurations are selected based on design parameters, manufacturingtechniques, cost considerations, and other factors.

Also, the nature of the means for engaging an adapter within a lidaperture is not important to this invention. Most preferably, the meansfor engagement between the adapter and the lid resists rotationalmovement of the adapter with respect to the lid and/or resists axialmovement of the adapter with respect to the lid. It is recognized,however, that the means for engagement between the adapter and the lidcan alternatively be configured to permit movement, perhaps both axialand rotational, between the adapter and the lid if so desired.

It will be appreciated that additional variations and modifications ofthe disclosed, preferred embodiments can be made without departing fromthe scope of this invention, which is defined separately in the appendedclaims.

1.-12. (canceled)
 13. A method of unwinding a needle portion from aneedle holder of a needle system having a second configuration using acontainer system including a receptacle and a lid, the lid having anaperture configured to receive a needle system having a firstconfiguration, said method comprising the steps of: (a) engaging anadapter configured to receive the needle system having the secondconfiguration in the lid aperture, thereby modifying the lid from beingconfigured to receive the needle system having the first configurationto being configured to receive the needle system having the secondconfiguration; (b) inserting at least a portion of the needle systemhaving the second configuration into the adapter aperture, therebyengaging the needle portion to resist rotation of the needle portionwith respect to the adapter; and (c) rotating the needle holder withrespect to the adapter, thereby unwinding the needle portion from theneedle system such that the needle portion can be released into thereceptacle.
 14. The method of claim 13, said engaging step comprisingmating a detent formed on the adapter with a depression defined by thelid.
 15. The method of claim 13, said engaging step comprising matingeach of two or more detents formed on the adapter with a respective oneof two or more depressions defined by the lid.
 16. The method of claim13, said engaging step comprising engaging a flange provided on theadapter with an edge of the lid.
 17. The method of claim 13, saidengaging step comprising engaging two or more flanges provided on theadapter with an edge of the lid.
 18. A method for use with a needlesystem and a receptacle having an opening, said method comprising thesteps of: (a) covering the opening of the receptacle with a lid definingan aperture for engaging a needle system having a first configuration;(b) selecting a needle system having a second configuration thatincludes a needle portion and a needle holder; (c) engaging an adapterdefining an aperture for engaging the needle system having the secondconfiguration in the lid aperture, thereby modifying the lid from beingconfigured to engage the needle system having the first configuration tobeing configured to engage the needle system having the secondconfiguration; and (d) inserting the needle portion of the needle systemhaving the second configuration into the adapter aperture, therebyengaging the needle portion with the adapter.
 19. The method of claim18, said engaging step comprising engaging the needle portion to resistrotation of the needle portion with respect to the adapter.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising the step of: rotating the needleholder with respect to the adapter, thereby unwinding the needle portionfrom the needle holder such that the needle portion is released into thereceptacle. 21.-23. (canceled)